Intimate or sex scenes in movies are a common happening. However, only the people under the spotlight know how difficult it is to enact the sexual act in front of several eyes without being carried away or feeling uncomfortable.
But little did we know that just like casting directors and makeup artists, intimacy directors have also been around but they came to the center stage only recently, especially in Hindi cinema.
IMO it’s a good thing that these professionals exist to comfort the actors and also to orchestrate physical intimacy scenes on sets. Author Aseem Chhabra is also of the opinion that having intimate directors is a welcome move and is applauding the film ‘Gehraiyaan’ for finally acknowledging the work of these artists and giving them due credit.
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Taking to Twitter, Aseem shared a screenshot of the movie’s credit screen (shared by Shakun Batra) with the intimacy director Dar Gai’s name on it. Gai was reportedly the writer and director of Prateek Kuhad’s music video ‘cold/mess’.
He wrote:
I could be wrong, but is it the first time I have seen a credit for an “Intimacy Director” in an Indian film (or any other film)? I know Dar Gai and am really curious about her contribution to this film. pic.twitter.com/eTCZ12hZly
— Aseem Chhabra (@chhabs) January 5, 2022
Looking at his tweet, a lot of people agreed that even though intimacy directors and coordinators have a huge role to play in the film, they don’t find due credits.
Watched one Brut video on India’s first intimacy coordinator. It’s already a thing in Hollywood. Nice to know Bolly too is following the same. 👍
— Debi (@WhoDebi) January 5, 2022
This makes me so happy! It’s one of my fav roles that we regularly have on the sets in NYC that I’m on – any time there’s any chance of nudity or any mimed sexual touching. It’s very encouraging to see Bollywood moving in this direction too!! Intimacy coordinators are the best 💕
— jorts the kat(herine) (@kay_fil) January 5, 2022
Wow. Okay. I didn’t know this was a thing but happy that the person got the credit.
— Kshitij Salve (@JaisiAapkiMasti) January 5, 2022
I am sure other films also hire people who specialize in shooting intimate scenes. But I like that Dar actually got a credit for her work. Impressed with the production house giving credit where it’s due.
— Aseem Chhabra (@chhabs) January 5, 2022
This is actually so great. At first I didn't know something like intimacy direction exist. Months back saw clips about it on snapchat and was so impressed. The layers of hard work that goes into making films awe me. https://t.co/GN1y0axD16
— Geet (@iamtapo) January 5, 2022
So good to hear this…👏👏 https://t.co/76sqxWujyG
— Madhuri Prabhu (@madhuri_05) January 5, 2022
Oh yeah, Intimate scenes were never conceptualized in Indian Cinema. They were just used to titillate. Not many give a thought that they say a story as well. The scenes being well choreographed adds a aesthetic texture to the whole narrative.
Damn excited about Gehraiyaan! 🤞❤️ https://t.co/kMASRjxaze
— Chay (@illusionistChay) January 5, 2022
This is v interesting to see. I know of Normal People, I May Destroy You & Sex Education having intimacy director/coordinator and you could see how that shaped the series. I think it’s a first for Indian movie too or atleast credited. I’m really setting the hype for Gehraiyaan 🤞🏽 https://t.co/A8OdXhUSGq
— Jayati Bhola ⁷ (@Jayatiib) January 5, 2022
It would have been so demotivating to not get due credits for your work. But thankfully, Bollywood is coming around. Also, this discussion gave intimacy directors the attention they deserved. Kudos!